FAIRHAVEN -- The major concern was snow plowing as town officials met Friday to prepare for this weekend's powerful nor'easter.

"Plowing is the main issue," said Executive Secretary Jeffrey W. Osuch.

Highway Superintendent John Charbonneau said crews would plow all town roads until 8 or 9 p.m. Friday, and then stop and just do main arteries if they have to.

They would begin again on all town roads Saturday morning. He said the crews will work 12-hour shifts.

Mr. Osuch said the main roads include Main Street, Alden Road, Howland Road and Sconticut Neck Road.

Mr. Charbonneau said illegally parked vehicles may be towed to the Department of Public Works on Arsene Street.

Other town officials reported storm-related issues:

= Tree Warden Antone Medeiros said he is ready to deal with downed trees and limbs.

= Fire Chief Timothy Francis said a tow truck had slid off the road just before the emergency meeting started at noon.

= Mr. Francis said he has resolved the communications problems that occurred in the last storm with NStar.

= Hastings Middle School will be used as a shelter if needed. Superintendent Dr. Robert N. Baldwin said he would need help from the town to have the road to Hastings and the parking lot plowed. He said the School Department could provide a custodian, but it was unlikely the schools could provide a nurse or cafeteria help. He said the Emergency Management Agency staff could help with that.

Asked about cots, which became a political issue last fall, John Rogers of the EMA said they have eight cots plus some that were donated by local businesses.

Fairhaven Public Schools and St. Joseph School were closed Friday. Mr. Baldwin said it was a tough decision, but he had to consider that some staff live 45 minutes away and many high school students drive their own cars to school.

All town offices, including the Council on Aging, closed at 1 p.m. Friday and many town businesses, including banks, closed around noon.